Page 37 of Five Days to Be Mine

Bryan runs his hands through his wavy hair. “Hi Mara. Didn’t you get my emails?”

“Sorry, I didn’t.”

My personal email is for store discounts and I barely touch it.

I only have one client right now, and Wendy has given everyone my cell number.

Arthur shuffles, looking uncomfortable. “I told you about the surprise renovation? The guys are going to set up today.”

I spot one truck for counters, one for floors.

“Surprise renovation?”

Arthur blushes, pushes his glasses on his nose. “You know how dad and your mom are away on a cruise for a month?”

“Yeah, Bryan’s Valentine's Day gift to her. It’s sweet.”

Bryan adores my mom, and this cruise was on her bucket list.

“You know how they’ve always talked about someday taking out that wall between the living room and kitchen? Miranda and I thought they needed a push and wanted to seize the time they’re gone. You can come stay with us if you want.”

My mind whirrs, trying to take in this information. My mother is going to hate having people go through her stuff and moving things about, but she’s going to love Miranda and Arthur for doing it.

“I would have asked you to chip in, but Miranda said that was silly because you just lost your job—”

“I quit my job to go out on my own.”

“Yes, and you’re living here to avoid what happened in the past.”

I swallow past the lump in my throat. My financial past isn’t great, even if it’s not my fault.

“I mean, you probably don’t have the money to throw in for a renovation.”

I laugh at how miserable Arthur looks.

I really lucked out when my mom married Arthur and I gained this awkward, sweet bonus brother.

He’s ten years older than me and has his own optometrist practice and three noisy but adorable kids. His wife, Miranda, is just as sweet.

“It’s okay! I’ll make sure there is a flower arrangement on the counter when mom and Bryan get home. So it’s going to be noisy for me for the next month. I can live with it.”

Arthur scratches his beard and looks down at his boots. “Mara, you can’t be in the house while this work is going on. If you had read the email, I offered you our guest room.”

I bit my lip, glancing upwards at the stormy sky.

Cold rain drops fall on my cheeks and I swipe them off.

Arthur and Miranda’s house is chaotic with the three kids and I don't know how I could get any work done.

Also, if memory serves, they have a small bed in the guest room and it’s not the most comfortable match for my fat body.

Both of us turn, hearing another vehicle drive up.

A sleek black Audi parks next to Arthur’s car.

My mouth goes completely dry as I catch sight of Evan Brennon behind the wheel.

My heart beats wildly as he steps out of the car, like he’s stepping out of a cologne ad.

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